Archive: MoneySavingExpert's Money Tips Email

20 April 2005: ISA switches, speedier internet, new top 0% card, cheap days out, is rate-tarting dead, breakdown recovery, 6% savings, granny in the glove and much much more MoneySaving...

This info may be out of date. Read this week's emails

The following is the text of Martins Money Tips Email sent on 20 April 2005

Hiya. I'm excited (no change there!). Gobsmackingly, we're closing in on a quarter of a million MoneySavers receiving this e-mail. If you forgive a personal ambition, I'd love to hit it in time for m'birthday in early May so please help by recommending to your friends and family they join the (free of course) distribution list.

MUST READ IF YOU HAVE A CASH ISA! New Article. Banks love cash-ISAs, because most people think once the money's in, it's a done deal. It's not! Shift and you can up the interest. If you've got cash ISAs from any year this is a must read - or you're throwing cash down the loo! Cash ISA Transfers.

SPEED UP YOUR DIAL-UP INTERNET. Does Onspeed work? Onspeed's been advertised everywhere, claiming to make dial-up internet connections as fast as broadband. Does it work? Yes, it compresses the data you receive to speed things up. Is it as fast as broadband? Not close. Is it worth it? Related Articles. Cheapest Internet Service Providers, Cheapest Broadband.

NEW TOP 0% BALANCE TRANSFER CARD! Marks & Spencer now offers a 0% credit card for balance transfers (debt moved). Unlike a growing number of cards, there's no fee for shifting debt over, making it joint top with Virgin (though it doesn't do Super Balance Transfers). M&S is also 0% for purchases for 9 months, though this is beatable. Marks & Spencer Card ( View/Apply*), Virgin Card (View/Apply*). Better still first read Best Balance Transfers Article for more guidance.

IS THE END NIGH FOR 0% OFFERS? In a word No! Special Briefing. Past special briefings. Danger Minimum Payments, Stop Junk Calls/ Mail, What to Watch For When Withdrawing Cash.

GREAT ‘GRANNY IN THE GLOVEBOX' HUNT. Don't worry this isn't about an illicit trade in the more mature woman. The idea's to use MoneySavers' collective research skills to find the UK's cheapest Pay-As-You-Go mobile, which can be kept for emergencies without using it (ie no need to top up each month). Add/read others' finds Past Great Hunts. Ipod(ish), Boots Bargains, Crosscut Shredders.

LISTEN TO THIS TIP'S MARTIN'S MONEY MUTTERINGS

Windows media player streamed: Broadband /Dial-Up Download:Broadband / Dial-Up (Discuss what's said).

Streams via Media or RealPlayer, for help read this
HALF PRICE ROADSIDE RECOVERY MAY BE CHEAPEST! A nifty special web-code (I've checked it, it's legit) for half price Norwich Union breakdown cover's been posted by a MoneySaver in the Chat Forum. For some this beats my standard 'cheapest' recommendation. So first read m'article, then compare it to the code price.

£10/MONTH BROADBAND PROVIDER. New Cheapest. UK Online's reduced its 512k price for new users to £9.99 though the service is restricted to certain exchanges. Connection costs £25 effectively making it £12.07 per month over the first year. Updated Article.

NEW 6% SAVINGS ACCOUNT (BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE OVER 60). Coventry Building Society's launched a 6% instant access savings account, available only for the over 60s. More info in Instant Access Savings.

Reminder. Car insurance cost cutting article and possible further reduction.
Warning. Existing Egg Cardholders, there's a catch in its 0% anniversary offer.
Reminder. Get free protection scheme to help with ID fraud.

CHEAP DAYS OUT! Board of the Week. DAYS OUT. A great board with huge savings and hot inspiration. Use the 'search this forum' function on the top right to see if there are discounts for where you want to go e.g. put in 'London Zoo'. Current discussions include Theme Park Tips, Blackpool hints and tips and 2for1 London Loophole.

FLIGHTCHECKER SALES WATCH Ryanair summer flights from 99p + taxes. Free FlightChecker.

NEW CHEAPEST CARD FOR OVERSEAS SPENDING. As Liverpool Victoria increases costs. Liverpool Victoria, currently cheapest, is raising its foreign exchange loading (added cost) outside Europe from 1% to 2.75% from 1st June. Nationwide's now much better unless you never leave Europe - for most this means ditching it. Read 'Cheapest Way To Spend Overseas' for more info.

LATEST QUICK CHAT TIPS (Warning! Bargains listed here tend to sell out quickly)
(Also see Daily Bargains Updates and Chat Tips GOLD)

19" TFT monitor £193 all-in can you beat it?
6-game PC bundle £15 delivered
Egg BA Cashback offer
Travelodge Tennertastic hotel rooms Ends midnight Wednesday
25% off food at TGI Fridays
35% off Oz wines. It 'as to be Asda
Forever Flashlight battery-less torch £7 incl del
Nominate Post of the Month for April

WARNING! DON'T POSTDATE CHEQUES! I've had a spate of emails recently about problems after post-dating cheques. It's unsurprising. Banks are likely to ignore it. Do it and you may go into overdraft and have to pay fees. Or the cheque can bounce. Avoid it. Don't write a cheque unless you're ready for it to be cashed. Postdated Problems.

NAME AND SHAME WHICH? - THE RESPONSE. A fortnight ago, I ranted in this e-mail about Which?'s prize draws. I believe they're beneath our official Consumer champions and it shouldn't do them. Which? kindly invited me in to discuss it and has also written an explanation to the 92% of MoneySavers of the same opinion (there was a poll). Read the original name & shame discussion then read and discuss the Which? response.

ONLINE ELECTION INFO. Thought I'd help out your consuming of politics by listing all the online manifestos. Plus see 'At the very least spoil your ballot.'

Andrea's Freebies (also see Freebies GOLD)
Megabowl Game, Renault motor racing tickets, Dove Hair cream,
Manic Street Preachers EP, Compost bin (in certain areas)
CAN YOU DO IT?! RECORD UNSOLVED CHAMPAGNE MONEYPOSER. This is the third week the champagne money poser remains unsolved. Are you up to it? The question's simple: what do the two numbers 70.701 and 552.86 have in common? For clues and to answer see crack the puzzle and then maybe you'll crack open the champagne?

Reminder. Cheapest Personal Loan Article.
Reminder. £20 bonus and even cheaper calls Ends 30.4.05.
Reminder. Free £10 for existing Egg customers.

ELECTION SPAM POLL. Have you been election spammed? Vote or discuss. Also, see last week's SUPERmarket or SuperMARKET? Poll results.

Last week I challenged MoneySavers to come up with the punchline to 'How many politicians does it take to scew in a lightbulb?' (well worth reading, it's hilarious). So this time I'm following it up with 'Why did the politician cross the road?'. The reply posted in the next week that makes me laugh the most will get a bottle of bubbly too!

That really is it for this week. I do hope you continue to enjoy the tips but mostly...

I hope you save some money

Martin

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